ICAO

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized United Nations agency responsible for establishing standards and recommended practices (SARPs) for international civil aviation and fostering the safe and orderly development of international air transport. ICAO manages over 12,000 SARPs across 19 Annexes and 5 PANS to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, many of which are constantly evolving. For air cargo operations, ICAO's Annex 18 establishes standards for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air, with detailed implementation through Technical Instructions that amplify the basic provisions. ICAO is distinct from other aviation organizations because it alone is vested with international authority among signatory states, unlike trade associations such as IATA.

ICAO assigns aircraft type designators used in flight plans, such as B741 for the Boeing 747-100, B742 for the 747-200, and B743 for the 747-300. When shipping lithium batteries on Emirates SkyCargo flight EK205 with AWB 176-12345675, the shipment must comply with ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, which augment Annex 18 standards governing hazardous materials transport.

• International Civil Aviation Organization
• ICAO standards

What is ICAO Annex 18 and how does it affect air cargo dangerous goods shipments?

ICAO Annex 18 establishes broad principles governing the international transport of dangerous goods by air, while the detailed Technical Instructions (Doc 9284) contain all specific requirements for safe international transport. ICAO rules apply on all international flights, with national authorities applying variations for domestic flights based on ICAO provisions.

How often are ICAO Technical Instructions for dangerous goods updated?

The 2025-2026 Edition of the Technical Instructions is required for operations from January 1, 2025 and remains valid until December 31, 2026. ICAO continues issuing new versions of the Technical Instructions biennially. Amendments recommended by the Dangerous Goods Panel are reviewed by the Air Navigation Commission and approved by the ICAO Council.